Bulgaria is developing in the right direction. Our forecast for 2024, for more than 2% economic growth, remains and was confirmed by the latest data. We expect the investment interest in Bulgaria to remain, this year we saw a record growth of foreign direct investments in Bulgaria, taking into account all the dynamics on the global markets and the fact that our key economic partners are entering recession. This is one of the reasons why we are looking for alternative markets, including across the ocean or to Asia.
This was stated in Varna by the Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov, who today met with the academic management, lecturers and students at the University of Economics in the city, to whom he presented the opportunities for practical training of students and young professionals in the public administration, as well as for individual student internships at the Ministry of Economy and Industry and its subordinate structures. The meeting in Varna was also attended by the Rector of the University Prof. Dr. Evgeni Stanimirov, the Regional Governor Prof. Andriyana Andreeva, Deputy Regional Director Ognyan Rachev, business representatives from the region.
‘The topic today is how to ultimately improve the investment climate and the economic situation in Bulgaria in sync with the universities and local authorities. It is important for us that students stay and develop in Bulgaria, that we give these young people the opportunity to work in state-owned enterprises, which have a huge potential for development, as well as in the structures of the Ministry of Economy and Industry,’ Minister Bogdanov said. According to him, business, state and local government should join efforts to keep young people in Bulgaria and to bring back those from abroad.
Bogdanov pointed out that the Ministry is carrying out concrete reforms in its work and cooperation, bringing back the dialogue between the state and local authorities, between business and institutions. The Minister added that the concrete steps and discussions he is conducting are aimed at contributing to the economic development of Bulgaria and to the retention of more young people in the country.
According to him, apart from working in the Ministry, young people can participate through internships and programmes in all other structures of the Ministry. ‘We want to create opportunities and partnerships between universities and public enterprises, he pointed out, noting that the meeting was attended by representatives of both the State Consolidation Company and the National Company of Industrial Zones (NCIZ). ‘We are trying to promote the work in Bulgarian institutions and the opportunity for young people to find their fulfilment here,’ Bogdanov added.
He pointed out that the Ministry was the first state institution to join the DNA initiative Bulgaria Wants You, with the idea of bringing back young people from outside. ‘So far, from the forums in which we participate, we already have Bulgarians who have expressed their desire to return and work for Bulgarian institutions,’ he said.
According to the minister, there has been a positive increase in the number of people who returned to Bulgaria last year. ‘We have 8 thousand more returnees compared to those who left Bulgaria. And we really believe that this will continue with wage growth and creating better living conditions,’ he said.
Minister Bogdanov pointed out that the growth of wages in certain sectors is almost three times above inflation and this was the main criterion by which the possibility of more and more people returning to Bulgaria was assessed.